Charities & VolunteeringCharities & OrganisationsHearing Concern celebrates 60 years Hearing Concern celebrates 60 years
31/07/2007
Hearing Concern is a small national charity run by both full time staff and volunteers which helps the hard of hearing and deafened people whose main method of communication is speech. This year they celebrate their 60th anniversary and are hoping to involve as many people and organisations as possible to join them in hosting tea parties across the U.K. to raise their profile - and hopefully funds.
Britain’s best-known agony aunt, Claire Rayner, is an Ambassador for Hearing Concern in their Diamond Jubilee year. She said: “This charity represents people like me who have been part of the hearing world for most of their lives, and have then suddenly found themselves having to cope with a hearing loss. It changes your perspective on things - which is why I am so pleased to help raise awareness of this hidden disability and get rid of the taboo that surrounds the deaf and the hard of hearing once and for all.”
Jeff Rich joined legendary band Status Quo in 1984 and was their drummer for sixteen years. But success came at a price. Years of exposure to loud rock music resulted in Jeff, now 53 years-of-age, suffering from impaired hearing. He said: “As a musician, losing my hearing was devastating. I really started struggling to hear people speak when there was any kind of background noise. I was constantly asking people to repeat themselves, which was frustrating and embarrassing.
However, since I accepted my hearing loss and did something about it my life has dramatically changed for the better. That’s why I am happy to support Hearing Concern’s message that ‘there is life after hearing loss'".
Hearing Concern is especially dedicated to making sure that hearing loss doesn't hold people back from doing what they want to do - from setting up businesses to traveling or even dancing (hearing loss affect balance). They work hard to find solutions for each individual, and the fact that the charity is small means that it makes it more accessible for those who still use speech to communicate, rather than sign language.
Their Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, says: "Loss of hearing, however severe, can have a traumatic impact on the individual, as well as affecting close family. Hearing Concern provides the vital personal support that can help people overcome the sense of helplessness and isolation."
As well as their London office there are three regional offices in Grimsby, Hull and Newcastle, which provide information and support,and pioneer innovative and creative responses that meet the needs of hard of hearing people. Many of their volunteer advisers are hard of hearing themselves and are happy to point out local services for hard of hearing people, including a Mobile Resource Unit, and local hospital audiology departments with hearing therapists who can help an individual through rehabilitation and counselling.
Hearing Concern's have produced an excellent self-help book, called "Impairment to Empowerment" (priced £14.99), which is different from other publications in that it recognises that different people will adjust in different ways to their hearing loss, and at their own speed. Essential information is presented in a clear, easily understandable way.
For more information about tea parties, services and "Impairment to Empowerment" visit the link below, or ring the Helpdesk on 0845 0744 600 (voice & text). Or write to: Hearing Concern, 95 Gray's Inn Road, WC1X 8TX, London.